Alumnus SCRN Status

ABNN developed the Alumnus SCRN status to recognize SCRNs who no longer meet eligibility for active certification (i.e. no longer working directly or indirectly in stroke nursing), but are still in the nursing profession (in some capacity) and wish to remain connected with the credential.

Eligibility

In order to be eligible for Alumnnus SCRN status, candidates must:

• be a current SCRN in the last year of their recertification cycle (i.e. due to expire December 31^st of the current year) OR currently be in Inactive SCRN status;
• have a current, unrestricted RN license;
• no longer be working in direct or indirect stroke nursing and do not plan to return to the field of stroke nursing*;
• be working in the nursing profession in some capacity.

*If you think you may return to stroke nursing in the next 3-years, you may want to consider Inactive SCRN status.

Other Requirements

• Applications must be submitted prior to the end of the grace period for the candidate's current renewal cycle (i.e. if your certification expires on December 31, 2025, the Alumnus application must be submitted between June 1, 2025 and January 31, 2026).
• No submission of CEs is required.
• Alumnus SCRN status must be renewed every 5 years.
• If an Alumnus SCRN re-enters the stroke nursing field, they may no longer use the Alumnus SCRN status and can regain the SCRN credential by meeting the current exam eligibility criteria, paying the examination fee, and passing the SCRN exam.

Download the application

Use of Designation

An individual who has been granted Alumnus SCRN status may use the designation Alumnus SCRN below their name and credentials, but not after a signature nor on a professional name badge. An individual who has been granted Alumnus SCRN status may not represent themselves as a SCRN. If an Alumnus SCRN re-enters the stroke nursing field, they may no longer use the Alumnus SCRN status and can regain the SCRN credential by meeting the current exam eligibility criteria, paying the examination fee, and passing the SCRN exam.

Application Fees

Not sure which status is best for you?

View the chart below comparing the different status options available including Inactive and Retired.

ABNN Certification Status Options Chart

Sample SCRN Exam Questions

1. A patient with a right anterior cerebral artery (ACA) stroke would be expected to present with

1. right leg weakness greater than right arm weakness.
2. left leg weakness greater than left arm weakness.
3. right arm weakness greater than right leg weakness.
4. left arm weakness greater than left leg weakness.

2. Wallenberg syndrome usually results from occlusion or infarction of the

1. basilar artery.
2. posterior inferior cerebellar artery.
3. anterior inferior cerebellar artery.
4. superior cerebellar artery.

3. When evaluating a patient with transient ischemic attack, the physician utilizes the ABCD2 Score. This score indicates

1. how severe the event was.
2. the patient's risk for having a stroke.
3. the patient's discharge disposition.
4. what medications the patient will need.

4. A 57-year-old patient presents to the Emergency Department (ED) with slurred speech and aphasia that began two hours prior to arrival. Vital signs on arrival are BP 225/120, RR 18, and a blood glucose level of 350. Which of the following is the FIRST PRIORITY of action for this patient?

1. Prepare tPA for administration.
2. blood glucose management
3. Perform a bedside swallow screen.
4. blood pressure management

5. Which pharmacologic agent commonly requires ongoing therapeutic lab monitoring?

1. apixaban
2. dabigatran
3. aspirin
4. warfarin

6. A patient in acute rehabilitation becomes unwilling to participate in therapy. This is a common manifestation of which of the following post-stroke complications?

1. seizure activity
2. worsening stroke
3. depression
4. incontinence

7. A patient undergoes a diagnostic cerebral angiogram. The SCRN should know that post-procedure, the patient should be frequently assessed for

1. oral angioedema.
2. heart failure.
3. peripheral vascular status.
4. hyponatremia.

8. A patient who experienced a stroke 2 months ago is readmitted with secondary stroke. The patient states, "I don't need to fill my prescriptions or follow up with my physician because I'm fine now." An appropriate nursing diagnosis for this patient would be

1. altered health maintenance.
2. impaired body image.
3. alterations sensory/perceptual.
4. dysfunctional grieving.

9. An SCRN is developing a log for acute stroke patients presenting to the emergency department to begin tracking quality measures. Which of the following would be the MOST important quality measure to include on the log?

1. door to treatment time
2. county of residence
3. physician of record
4. laboratory testing

10. A patient experienced new onset stroke symptoms with last known well 45 minutes prior and is being evaluated for treatment with IV alteplase. Fingerstick glucose is 80, and non-contrast CT head is negative for hemorrhage. There is no history of anticoagulant use, bleeding or thrombocytopenia. Labs have been drawn and sent. The SCRN should

1. prepare to administer alteplase once the order is given.
2. place a urinary catheter.
3. wait for the PT and PTT results before administering alteplase.
4. explain to the patient that the glucose of 80 is a contraindication to treatment.

11. An SCRN is participating in a community health fair. One of the attendees asks how much exercise is needed for stroke and heart attack prevention. The BEST response is to recommend moderate to vigorous aerobic exercise at least

1. 10 minutes/day, 7 days per week
2. 20 minutes/day, 3-4 days per week
3. 40 minutes/day, 3-4 days per week
4. 60 minutes/day, 1-2 days per week

12. The SCRN should recognize that a significant component of quality acute stroke care begins with

1. Emergency Medical Services (EMS).
2. availability of MRI.
3. early administration of antithrombotic agents.
4. availability of neurosurgery services.

13. Functional independence measure (FIM) is a standardized assessment that includes

1. sensory neglect.
2. depression screen.
3. agraphia.
4. social cognition.

14. The SCRN has just admitted a new acute stroke patient to the Neuro ICU. The initial non-contrast head CT in the emergency department shows a new subarachnoid hemorrhage. The SCRN teaches the family member that a

1. lumbar puncture is the gold standard to confirm a diagnosis of subarachnoid hemorrhage.
2. subarachnoid hemorrhage must be treated with surgical intervention.
3. subarachnoid hemorrhage is often caused by long-term alcohol abuse.
4. spontaneous rupture of an aneurysm can cause a subarachnoid hemorrhage.

15. A patient arrives to the ED with a subarachnoid hemorrhage and a systolic blood pressure of 176 mm Hg. The SCRN should

1. administer PRN antihypertensive medications to achieve a target systolic pressure less than 160 mm Hg.
2. continue to monitor and administer PRN antihypertensive medications if the systolic pressure is greater than 185 mm Hg.
3. administer PRN antihypertensive medications to achieve a target systolic pressure less than 130 mm Hg.
4. continue to monitor and notify the physician for any systolic pressure over 190 mm Hg.

Answers: 1. B; 2. B; 3. B; 4. D; 5. D; 6. C; 7. C; 8. A; 9. A; 10. A; 11. C; 12. A; 13. D; 14. D; 15. A
Note: These items are intended only as samples of the style of questions you should expect. They are not representative of the numbers of any category of question that will be included on the test.

Visit the SCRN Study Materials page for more resources to help you study for the SCRN exam. 

Inactive SCRN Status

ABNN developed the Inactive SCRN status to recognize SCRNs who temporarily do not meet eligibility requirements for recertification (whether it be practice hours or CE hours) and do not want to forfeit their credential. Inactive status is appropriate for those planning to meet the renewal eligibility requirements within a 3-year timeframe from their expiration date. Candidates may reactivate their certification anytime during the 3-year Inactive status period, once the established renewal eligibility requirements are met. At the time of renewal, continuing education credits and other requirements must meet the time frame as defined at the time of renewal (i.e. within 5 years of submitting the renewal application).

Eligibility

In order to be eligible for Inactive SCRN status, candidates must:

• be a current SCRN in the last year of their recertification cycle (i.e. due to expire December 31st of the current year)
• have a current, unrestricted RN license
• not meet the recertification eligibility criteria, but is planning to return to stroke nursing (i.e. does not meet the practice hour requirements within the 5-year cycle OR does not meet the stroke CE hour requirement during their 5-year cycle.)

Other Requirements

• Applications must be submitted prior to the end of the grace period for the candidate's current renewal cycle (i.e. if your certification expires on December 31, 2025, the Inactive application must be submitted between June 1, 2025 and January 31, 2026).
• No submission of CEs is required at the time of applying for Inactive status, however, in order to regain full SCRN status, candidates must meet the renewal requirements as defined in the year that they submit their renewal application. CE and practice hours must be earned within the previous 5-years. If eligibility is not met at the end of the 3-year extension period, the certification will no longer be renewable except by meeting the current exam eligibility criteria, paying the examination fee, and passing the SCRN exam.
• Candidates may NOT apply for Inactive status and deferment of renewal for two consecutive certification cycles. 

Download the application

Use of Designation

An individual who has been granted Inactive SCRN status may not represent themselves as a SCRN and may not use the credential during this 3-year timeframe. Once the Inactive SCRN submits their full renewal application and is approved, the candidate will then be able to use the SCRN credential. If eligibilty is not met at the end of the 3-year extension period and a renewal application with payment is not submitted, candidates will need to re-pay for and pass the SCRN examination earn the credential.

Application Fee

An $85 Inactive Status application fee must be submitted at the time of applying for the extension. In order to renew the full credential, candidates will need to pay the recertification fee as set by ABNN for that year.

Not sure which status is best for you?

View the chart below comparing the different status options available including Alumnus and Retired.

ABNN Certification Status Options Chart

SCRN 2025 Candidate Handbook

If you are eligible for the exam, you can review the upcoming exam dates, locations, and application fees.

Download the 2025 SCRN candidate handbook